MR CAMERON

was accused of an ‘affront to democracy’ last year after plotting to pack the Lords with Tory donors.

He put forward a list of around 40 Tory supporters, including rich businessmen, to be elevated to the peerage.

But a significant number were blocked by civil servants and members of the Appointments Commission. It was reported that he had originally wanted to appoint 100 peers, although this plan was stopped in its tracks. Mr Cameron was accused of plotting to stuff the House of Lords with Conservative peers to make it easier to get his legislation through.

When the names were finally made public, the list contained 26 Tory peers. They included Douglas Hogg, who stood down from the Commons in 2010 after controversy over his expenses claims. Top Tory donor James Lupton was also made a peer, despite links to the disgraced